Sounds like they are duds.

Did they start already? If you paid by credit card, maybe you can get your deposit back. Wood-mode cabinets are not cheap and for that price they should be catering to your needs.

I hope your layout works.

Here's the thing, people are lazy and no one is going to care about all the little details in your kitchen like you are. Spend some time researching different options you want and tell, not ask, them that you want them. All those little details, inserts, etc are extra. So maybe they think it's not possible because it's not in budget. Or maybe they are as cpartist said "duds." I used a design build firm but everything layout and accessory wise I came up with on my own through my own research and obsessing here in GW. I simply told them what I wanted and they made it happen. Sure all that stuff cost extra but at least for me everything was fully custom and made by a local cabinetmaker so it was easier to figure out whether it was in my budget. They gave me a ballpark number and didn't nickel and dime everything.

I follow woodmode on fb and they certainly have all the bells and whistles. It's just going to cost you :)

What are you thinking about when you say "storage options"?

Does the design have all (or almost all) drawers in the base cabinets? That's the single most efficient storage option out there - but it can take some careful planning to determine what the drawer heights should be, and how many drawers you want per stack.

The best way to optimize storage is to figure out what you have, and find the most logical place for it in your new kitchen. You should have a place for pots and pans, cooking utensils, potholders, and spices near the stove; cutting boards, knives, and colanders in the prep area; dish storage near the dishwasher and cleanup sink; a location for cookie sheets, cake pans, small appliances, food (if you don't have a pantry). Things yo use all the time get prime real estate; the big stock pot you use twice a year doesn't need to be easily accessible.

"Is there job really just to come up with the layout and then pass off?" I don't have so, but some work that way.

I worked for a Wood-Mode dealer for a long time. They have plenty of options and modifications. That said I used plenty of aftermarket / field install items when I couldn't get what I wanted. (did plenty of farmhouse sinks though some require imagination to get right ).

Of all the cabinet manufacturer training I've been to they were the only one that seriously addressed function and storage. Now that was 17 yrs ago and that trainer has retired but still. There are things I use to this day I learned there, have been using zones and planning what goes where and how since.

Couple of things:

They are partly correct about cutlery dividers. Most brands standard in house built ones are not worth the cost or space. If you want nicer than average look into Hafele Fineline or Blum modular.

You say small and awkward? 30k of cabinets isn't that small. Or does that include more than cabinet cost? Counters? Installation? Other? Awkward always requires thought and If it really is small then more thought needs to go into solution than "just drawers". For some types of items there are equally convenient but more efficient solutions. (still avoid roll out shelves behind hinged doors with one possible exception.)

That said, you may do better posting your layout here for the usual suspects to play with. While I don't always agree with everything here (being a total storage weany) they can a better job than most likely my competitors.

Look at the Kohler Whitehaven for your farmhouse sink. There is a "short apron" style which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet and a "tall apron" style that requires a farm sink base. It is also easier to install then typical fireclay farm sink.

I am not getting why you say you've had the design for this project for a year, but are only now coming up with these new ideas and requests, after you've paid the deposit. Also, if the deposit is based on a certain layout, and now you're making a number of changes, it is likely you've gone over the $30k estimate. That might be making the KD uncomfortable as she will have to ask you for more money to cover these new change orders on your year-old design.

You should have waited until you were done planning to get your estimate and put down your deposit. Deciding later on double ovens, swapping cabinets, changing storage - that all should have been done prior to giving your deposit which was based upon the previously agreed-upon plan. If you think the KD is not skilled enough to implement your ideas about microwave placement, the sink, etc., you would have known that if you'd asked her to do that earlier.

You've chosen one of the most expensive cabinetry lines in Wood-mode. And you are making changes to the design after-the-fact. You have not said whether you are willing to pay more than the $30k which was based on the old plan which did not include your recent changes. If there isn't a lot of storage, it could be that the cost for that is over the budget you gave the KD. It is impossible to know from what you've described whether the KD's skill is the issue, or whether your budget for your kitchen is the issue.

You need to make an app't and sit down with them and go over everything again. If your budget is truly $30,000, you do not have any wiggle room for extras, such as changes to cabinets and interior storage fittings (which are always very expensive). If you are willing to pay extra for these things, then tell them so. You need to also give them a general idea as to when you will be ready to place the order and commit fully to the kitchen. I assume if there was a "hefty" deposit, you also signed a contract to have them do this job. If so, you are committed to them and the contract. Anything you change will be extra and some companies charge an uncharge for such changes.

It sounds as if there has been a lot of very poor communication on the part of both parties.

My kitchen designer (a Wood-mode dealer) also told us that its best to buy storage fittings after market from Hafele or Revashelf. You can also buy custom drawer insets in maple or lexan on the internet. That proved to be good advice for us. I bought custom maple insets for a few drawers such as flatware and utensils and lexan for others. We chose her because we liked her contemporary designs and attention to detail but she is definitely was not an organization expert. Her approach was to maximize drawers and design the cabinets to be flexible. If you want someone to measure every item you have and design a place for it I'd suggest you do that yourself (or pay someone to specifically do that). That's not going to be covered in a standard design fee.

Just curious why you chose Wood-mode? Brookhaven is their semi-custom line. Finishes are shared so you can buy Brookhaven and then upgrade only the pieces you need to custom. Do you have a unique design or specialty finish that drove you to Wood-mode? Just about everything on the Wood-mode website is very custom (well beyond a $30K budget).

How much is the hefty deposit? Design fees usually range from $0 to $2000 applied to an order. Have you signed off on the design yet and has the order been placed?

I agree you aren't off to a good start. To be honest if the cabinet order hasn't been placed yet I'd talk to the designer about parting ways even if it means you lose the design fee. The designer may be willing to give you some if not all of the deposit back. My guess is they feel the same sense of uncertainty about the relationship that you feel.

Although $30K sounds like a lot of money, for Wood-Mode it's not. Most Wood-Mode kitchens are double that or more. $30K of Wood-Mode won't get a lot of extra configurations, or lots of drawers or special features. I think you need to re-set your expectations for your $30K of Wood-Mode cabinetry, or, choose a different cabinet manufacturer that will give you more bang for the buck.

I am curious if you are getting framed or frameless cabinetry? Wood-Mode is known for its framed cabinetry, but they do offer a frameless line. If your kitchen is small, you get a bit more storage space with frameless, and in a small kitchen, every inch counts.

It's possible these guys don't have a lot of Wood-Mode high end experience. You could cut them loose and ask for recommendations from Wood-Mode for a designer they have more experience with.

Ugh, sounds like our first design firm. You need someone who can create your vision, based on your specific wants and needs.

Our first designer was dictating to ME what appliances she would put in, what island, and putting appliances willy nilly.

We lost ~$2400 when we cut ties with them, but it was the best decision we made.

We wound up with a wonderful, patient designer who allowed US to drive the process.

I generally agree with the sentiment that these guys don't sound like a good fit for you. But like another poster, I wonder what their side of the story is. You started the process a year ago, but are still going in with changes like double versus single oven? To me, that is one of the very first decisions around which your entire kitchen needs to be planned. Perhaps they found a place for it, but the move essentially negated the careful planning they had put into your original plan. Perhaps you've been dragging your feet over this for a year and keep coming back with more and more requests, and they are just done with it (either because the time they've invested totally outweighs the small profit they'll make; or because they think all these follow up changes are going to ultimately ruin the design that they already put work into). It sounds like you came into the process with ideas not fully formulated, which has hurt you, AND it sounds like they are done with you. No matter who is more to blame, so to speak, it sounds like you risk not getting the right kitchen with this team. Because there were things you failed to communicate to begin with, and adding them now requires effectively restarting the design process, and they're not willing to invest the additional time. I'd probably walk away from the deposit, take your new, better formed ideas to a new shop and go from there. Presumably you'll be able to make decisions much quicker and have less after the fact changes, which will lead to a better outcome with the second team.

If you are not comfortable - STOP and regroup. DO NOT GO FORWARD if your gut is telling you that "sumthin' ain't right".

I'd go through "new to kitchens" and use the forum as a most valuable resource. No one here is tied to any particular "brand" or limitations. Follow the instructions and post your scale / bare space, your needs, some inspiration pics, etc and see what talented folks can do here in short order.

If what you get here appears to be more thought out / creative / functional that what you have now, then your fears are justified and you take the bones of the plan here and find someone who can execute.

Prior layout post. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4546609/please-help-double-ovens-or-more-counterspace

Beth, I took a look at your profile hoping you would have some other posts about layout, etc. You don't yet, but you do have your current kitchen pictures there. First, I think you must have a very cute and cozy home with lots of nice details. It looks charming! But I can see why you need a kitchen renovation -- you have very little space.

Can you elaborate what your plans/thoughts are so far -- knocking out walls, addition, etc.?

There was a post not too long ago with someone who had a kitchen similar to yours with the eat-in nook. They kept the nook and it looked fabulous. In fact, I have seen several threads here with 1930s and 1940s bungalows that did wonders with the space and all the while maintaining the original charm of nooks, cove ceilings, woodwork, etc.

I know it can be difficult to walk away from a hefty deposit, but perhaps having a honest conversation with the designer could be very beneficial for all of you. No harm in stepping back a bit as you iron your thoughts out. As others suggested, please post a layout here. I really do think you will get a lot of good ideas.

Took a look at the drawings in the link kiko provided. It certainly doesn't look like they just phoned it in. A bit I do differently but without having dealt with the client there is no way to tell. Nicely detailed drawings that look like some thought was used.